Agency Profile: Travelers Aid of Greater Birmingham

First founded in St. Louis in 1851 to aid stranded travelers head west, Travelers Aid has the distinction of being our nation’s oldest non-sectarian social welfare movement. Founded as Birmingham Travelers Aid in 1907 with a mission to meet and protect young women as they arrived in the city, the program was a collaboration of the YWCA and the Birmingham Terminal Company. Their work quickly expanded to include any and all distressed travelers, eventually growing to such an extent that they were deemed too diversified to continue as a YWCA program. In 1926, Travelers Aid became incorporated as an autonomous welfare entity, collaborating with the local Community Chest (United Way) and with the National Travelers Aid Society (Travelers Aid International).

Mission

To connect low income elderly and adults with disabilities to medical care and a healthier quality of life; to link individuals and families in crisis to stability and security.

Programs

Senior Ride

Travelers Assistance

Learn More about Travelers Aid of Greater Birmingham

Travelers Aid is attuned and responsive to the medical transportation needs of low-income citizens. What began in the mid 1970s as a contract program with the Department of Pensions and Securities has evolved to today’s Senior Ride program that provides on average 1,000 free rides each month to Jefferson County’s low income elderly and disabled adults.